Review: 'Plaza Suite' in Walden

Wednesday

Sep 30, 2009 at 2:00 AM

WALDEN — Samuel E. Wright directs Neil Simon's "Plaza Suite" with a multiple cast in all three plays. In the original 1968 Broadway production, two actors performed the major roles of couples and lovers, but Wright spreads out the roles so that the contrasts are sharp and varied. All the actors in Friday night's opening were well rehearsed and accomplished. Sponsored by HVPOPS (Hudson Valley Parents of Performing Artists), the comedy completes a trilogy of Simon plays at the New Rose Theatre, following "The Odd Couple" and "The Sunshine Boys."

BY JAMES F. COTTER

WALDEN — Samuel E. Wright directs Neil Simon's "Plaza Suite" with a multiple cast in all three plays. In the original 1968 Broadway production, two actors performed the major roles of couples and lovers, but Wright spreads out the roles so that the contrasts are sharp and varied. All the actors in Friday night's opening were well rehearsed and accomplished. Sponsored by HVPOPS (Hudson Valley Parents of Performing Artists), the comedy completes a trilogy of Simon plays at the New Rose Theatre, following "The Odd Couple" and "The Sunshine Boys."

As a married couple staying at the plush suite on their 23rd wedding anniversary, Vicki Kelly is an anxious Karen waiting for her husband, Sam, played by Bill Schlott, to show up after another busy day at the office. When he does, obviously something is wrong in their relationship: She is by turns affectionate, frustrated and angry; he is distracted, moody and annoyed. Both actors create the right tension with a comic edge that Simon gives to his rapid-fire dialogue. When Ms. McCormack, Sam's secretary, arrives with paperwork, the secret of the conflict is quickly evident; Leanne Keator manages to be proper and prim in the role, while at the same time rubbing shoulders with her boss. Tom Tighe plays a waiter who gets Karen's attention. Next weekend he will switch places with Schlott in the part of Sam, and Ana Raw will play Ms. McCormack.

In the second act, Jesse is a successful Hollywood producer in town to interview the director of his next film. He has phoned his old high school flame, Muriel, for a few hours of rekindling their romance at the fashionable Plaza. Adam L. Troy is suitably suave and seductive as he comes on to Paige Constable as the seemingly distant and obviously uncomfortable Muriel. After a few vodka stingers, the ice begins to melt and the inevitable happens, but not without a final Simon twist of irony. Both actors are funny and believable as they maneuver each other from one room to the other, the bedroom. Sallie Byrnes will alternate in the role of Muriel in future performances.

In the third play, a mother and father at their daughter's wedding wait anxiously for her to emerge from the bathroom, where she has barricaded herself. Their anxious pleas meet only silence as their distress grows to fever pitch. Andrea Barrett is a frantic Norma who must deal with both daughter and irate husband, Roy, played with energetic ire by Michael Cascella. The pressure mounts as he climbs out a window to make his way to the bathroom in a thunderstorm. He is hilarious as he reappears soaking wet in a torn tuxedo without his mission accomplished. Mary Tighe is lovely as the speechless daughter Mimsey, and Zak Kiernan quite cool as her bridegroom, Borden. Pamela Murphy will take on the role of Norma this coming weekend.